January 12, 2026
Source: East-West Seed
Debates around Plant Variety Protection (PVP) and farmers’ rights are often presented as a tension between innovation and tradition or farmer’s seed system. In practice, however, a well-designed national PVP’s system shows that strong breeders’ rights and clearly articulated farmers’ rights can be complementary and mutually reinforcing, contributing to resilient and inclusive seed systems across Africa.
A robust PVP framework, aligned with UPOV 1991, can provide the security needed for breeders to invest in the development of locally adapted varieties; particularly vegetables that address climate variability, disease pressure, and evolving market demand. Such investments are essential to ensuring a diverse pipeline of improved varieties for African farmers can continue.
At the same time, national legislation has the opportunity to reflect local farming realities by recognizing farmers’ traditional practices, including saving, using, and exchanging seed for their own use, in line with national priorities and socio-economic contexts. When carefully balanced, these provisions can coexist with effective PVP systems and support freedom of choice for farmers.
Experience across emerging seed markets suggests that farmers adopt commercial seed not due to obligation, but because it delivers tangible value, such as yield stability, uniformity, and traits preferred by markets. Where informal systems continue to play an important role, improved varieties can still reach farmers through partnerships, capacity building, and contract seed production, illustrating that formal and informal seed systems are not necessarily in opposition but can evolve alongside each other.
For East-West Seed, trust from farmers is fundamental. Our business depends on farmers choosing our seed because it meets their needs and contributes to their livelihoods. This trust underpins our long-term engagement with farming communities and local seed value chains.
Ultimately, the discussion for African agriculture may not be about choosing between protecting breeders or farmers, but about designing balanced and pragmatic policies that support both. A well-calibrated PVP framework can encourage innovation, expand farmer choice, strengthen local seed production, and contribute to food security and sustainable agricultural development.
Read more about East-West Seed's views on PVP and farmers’ rights here.
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